Changing Roles at Maritime Museum

Door County Maritime Museum executive director Bob Desh, dressed in appropriate period attire, fires a cannon salute as the sailing vessels of the Baylake Bank Tall Ship Festival transit through Sturgeon Bay in August 2013. Photo courtesy of Tim Graul.

The Door County Maritime Museum recently began soliciting for a new executive director. The present director, Bob Desh, will retire in late November, transitioning to a less time-intensive volunteer role.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the helm of the museum” said Desh, “but it is a very demanding job. Barb and I are at a place in our lives where we are looking forward to having more time for family, travel, and other pursuits. I love the museum and its noble mission of preserving and celebrating the extraordinary maritime history of the Door Peninsula. I’ll merely be surrendering my executive director nametag for one that reads ‘volunteer’.”

Desh has been the museum’s executive director since 2008. Desh added that, “it has been an extraordinary six years. My time at the museum has given me the remarkable gift of great friends, much fun and countless cherished memories. It has been a blast! I look forward to many more years serving the museum as an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer.” Desh indicated with a chuckle that, “everyone on the waterfront will continue to be startled by the roar of cannon fire from time to time.”

The maritime museum began advertising for applicants for the executive director position in late August on a variety of museum related job search websites as well as in local newspapers. They are seeking a dynamic, passionate individual with excellent interpersonal skills and results-driven management success to lead the museum into its exciting future.

Along with providing leadership, inspiration, and focus for the organization as a whole, the new executive director will work with the board to create support for the museum throughout the community. Proven leadership and management success, particularly in the nonprofit sector, is a must. Experience in a museum or maritime-related field is a plus. The museum is accepting résumés from interested individuals through Sept. 22.

For additional details on the responsibilities of the position and the skills and attributes essential for success contact the Door County Maritime Museum at 920.743.5958 or email [email protected].